AR15 buffer weight vs Silencer

9x19 · February 20, 2017, 10:46 AM

A question for you guys who run a silencer on an AR15.

Do you run a heavier buffer because of it? If so, how heavy (H2, H3)?

Lets say a 10" barrel in 5.56 and also .300 AAC, both with carbine gas tubes.

The silencers would be an AAC 556SD and Slincerco Omega.

Thanks in advance.

Bartholomew Roberts · February 20, 2017, 12:21 PM

It depends. A 10" 5.56 with carbine gas and a suppressor almost demands at least a heavy buffer at least to get acceptable function. A 10" .300 with carbine gas and a suppressor will do just fine with a standard carbine buffer.

The buffer is part of a system and has to work with the other components in the system.

I'd also just buy a .308 silencer and use it for both 5.56 and .300 if that is an option.

Theohazard · February 20, 2017, 02:40 PM

I have a Griffin Armamant SOB (Suppressor Optimized Buffer) in my 10.5" 5.56 LMT. It's a little heavier than an H2 buffer, but lighter than an H3. If I wasn't worried about reliability when shot dirty without the silencer, I'd use an H3.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9x19

Lets say a 10" barrel in 5.56 and also .300 AAC, both with carbine gas tubes.

I've never heard of a sub-16" 300 BO barrel that used a carbine-length gas system. Even most 16" 300 BO barrels I've seen used pistol-length gas systems.

rkbanet · February 20, 2017, 06:04 PM

On my Rock River Arms with 10.5" barrel and Gemtech Halo suppressor I run a H3 buffer. Even with that I got to much blowback, so now I run an H3 buffer and Gemtech adjustable bolt carrier. The combo works great.

Mobuck · February 20, 2017, 08:57 PM

I put an adjustable gas block on my 16" 300 w/carbine gas and I feel I basically wasted the $$. With the ammo I'm using, it's under-gassed with the adjustment wide open. W/o the muffler, I even went to a "light weight" bolt carrier to get 3 o'clock ejection.

Lark · February 21, 2017, 02:05 AM

I put an adjustable gas tube on my AR. I only shoot one load with my NM upper so I was able to adjust the tube to make the brass fly out about 4-6 feet. Works good. Use the same buffer and spring.

9x19 · February 21, 2017, 01:05 PM

Thanks for all the replies... I have some spare buffers and some tungsten weights so I guess I'll start with H2s and go from there.

Quote:

I've never heard of a sub-16" 300 BO barrel that used a carbine-length gas system. Even most 16" 300 BO barrels I've seen used pistol-length gas systems.

Hmm...maybe mine's a true oddball then... but it is indeed carbine length.

My 16" also has carbine length gas.

Mobuck · February 21, 2017, 09:23 PM

Both of my 16" 300's are carbine gassed. Work fine but at the lower limit of functionality. That's the reason for the light bolt carrier/standard buffer combo.

9x19 · February 21, 2017, 11:51 PM

Thanks.

The 16" .300 has had a steady diet of 125gr supersonic, and runs fine with a standard buffer.

The 10" works with the same ammo without the silencer... I just wasn't sure if I'd need to go up in buffer weight with the Omega out front.... plus I picked up some heavy bullet subs to try, and not sure how that will change things. Hope to get to the range soon, if the rains will stop long enough to let things dry out a bit.

Mobuck · February 22, 2017, 07:37 AM

Try a few shots and watch the ejection pattern before making changes. Primitive but effective.

February 20, 2017, 10:46 AM	#1
9x19 Senior Member Join Date: October 15, 1998 Location: Sherman, TX USA Posts: 3,750	AR15 buffer weight vs Silencer A question for you guys who run a silencer on an AR15. Do you run a heavier buffer because of it? If so, how heavy (H2, H3)? Lets say a 10" barrel in 5.56 and also .300 AAC, both with carbine gas tubes. The silencers would be an AAC 556SD and Slincerco Omega. Thanks in advance. __________________ Make mine lean, mean, and 9x19!

February 21, 2017, 02:05 AM	#6
Lark Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2012 Location: Western WA Posts: 144	I put an adjustable gas tube on my AR. I only shoot one load with my NM upper so I was able to adjust the tube to make the brass fly out about 4-6 feet. Works good. Use the same buffer and spring. __________________ Lark is free!

February 21, 2017, 11:51 PM	#9
9x19 Senior Member Join Date: October 15, 1998 Location: Sherman, TX USA Posts: 3,750	Thanks. The 16" .300 has had a steady diet of 125gr supersonic, and runs fine with a standard buffer. The 10" works with the same ammo without the silencer... I just wasn't sure if I'd need to go up in buffer weight with the Omega out front.... plus I picked up some heavy bullet subs to try, and not sure how that will change things. Hope to get to the range soon, if the rains will stop long enough to let things dry out a bit. __________________ Make mine lean, mean, and 9x19!

February 20, 2017, 12:21 PM	#2
Bartholomew Roberts member Join Date: June 12, 2000 Location: Texas and Oklahoma area Posts: 8,462	It depends. A 10" 5.56 with carbine gas and a suppressor almost demands at least a heavy buffer at least to get acceptable function. A 10" .300 with carbine gas and a suppressor will do just fine with a standard carbine buffer. The buffer is part of a system and has to work with the other components in the system. I'd also just buy a .308 silencer and use it for both 5.56 and .300 if that is an option.

February 20, 2017, 06:04 PM	#4
rkbanet Member Join Date: April 16, 2012 Posts: 64	On my Rock River Arms with 10.5" barrel and Gemtech Halo suppressor I run a H3 buffer. Even with that I got to much blowback, so now I run an H3 buffer and Gemtech adjustable bolt carrier. The combo works great.

February 20, 2017, 08:57 PM	#5
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	I put an adjustable gas block on my 16" 300 w/carbine gas and I feel I basically wasted the $$. With the ammo I'm using, it's under-gassed with the adjustment wide open. W/o the muffler, I even went to a "light weight" bolt carrier to get 3 o'clock ejection.

February 21, 2017, 09:23 PM	#8
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	Both of my 16" 300's are carbine gassed. Work fine but at the lower limit of functionality. That's the reason for the light bolt carrier/standard buffer combo.

February 22, 2017, 07:37 AM	#10
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	Try a few shots and watch the ejection pattern before making changes. Primitive but effective.